Finger-spreading apparatus.



" PATENTED MAY 5, 1908.

I i TE W Jib/ 7 R FINGER FINGER SPREADING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8 190'! \kwissas- RUDOLF FINGER, OF PRAGUE,AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

FINGER-SPREADING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1908.

Application filed June 6, 1907. Serial No. 377,538.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Runorr FINGER, a subject of the Emperor ofAustria-Hungary, residing in Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, Empire ofAustria-Hungary, have invented a new and useful Finger-SpreadingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in finger spreading machines forviolinists, pianists and the like future or present musical performers,whose art requires a large spreading of fingers on one or on both hands,to be performed. without the least difliculty nor any stress. Such anability can in the usual way be acquired more or less only by longcontinual and tedious practicing, and by younger persons, whose muscles,sinews and bands are yet forming. And even then the result of suchthoroughly natural proceedings is not yet sure.

The object of my present improvements is a machine by means of whichsaid difllculties will. either completely or for a great part disappear,and by the use of which the player can in a short time acquire greatfacility in spreading the fingers of his hand or hands at hisconvenience. The anatomy of the hand teaches that other free movementsof the fingers may also be facilitated if the spreading of them is madeeasier. I attain these objects by the apparatus illustrated as anexample in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a plan view ofthe apparatus; Fig. 2 is a cross section of same, showing the guidingand fixing arrangements.

1 is a plate of wood or the like, which on its upper side is providedwith a dove-tailed or the like semicircular groove 2. Keys or wedges 8,9, 10, 11, which on their underside are provided with dovetailed or thelike parts 12, fitting into the groove 2, are ar,

ranged so, that they can be pulled upon said plate 1, being guided bythe groove 2, and fastened in any point of it by pins or screws 13, orthe like. Said keys or wedges are shaped so as to approximately fit intothe free space between each two fingers 34, 56, 4-5, 67 of the playershand as it reposes upon said plate 1 in its normal position, with thelingers spread out. It may be observed, that the center of the circle ofthe groove 2 is very nearly the point in which meet the directions ofthe extended fingers of the hand of the player, and the fingers can bearupon them on their whole length.

Fig. 1 shows the left hand of the player, For the right hand there willbe one piece more, a piece which is symmetrical to the piece 11.

It will be understood that by pulling said wedge-pieces further fromeach other and fastening them for a while in such forced position, asmuch and as long as the hand can bearit, and finally, after having T6?peated this exercise systematically and steadily and with the necessaryhygienic precautions for a certain time, the fingers will soon acquire afacility in being spread from each other only by the will of theirowner, without any help or machine.

What I claim is- 1. In a finger stretcher, the combination with a platefor supporting the hand with its fingers extended upon it, said platebeing provided with a semi circular groove, of substantiallywedge-shaped keys, each provided with a downwardly extendingprojection'movably and adjustably arranged in said groove, each keybeing adapted to fit between two adjacent fingers, and means forsecuring said keys in any position in which they are adjusted,substantially as described.

2. In a finger stretcher, the combination with a plate for supportingthe hand with its fingers extended upon it, said plate being providedwith a semi-circular groove, dovetailed in cross section, ofsubstantially wedgeshaped keys, each having a dovetailed d0wn wardlyextending projection movably arranged in the semi-circular groove, and ascrew for securing said keys in their adjusted position, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUDOLF FINGER. IVitnesses:

ADOLPIT Fiscnnn, LADISLAV VOJAIEK.

